Somalia sets 2026 regional election timeline, South West state votes first

Sunday May 3, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Sunday unveiled the full calendar for the country’s 2026 regional elections, setting South West State on course to open the voting season later this month.

Under the newly announced timetable, South West State will be first to vote. Local council and parliamentary elections are slated for May 10, the election of the state parliament speaker will follow on May 18, and the regional president is due to be chosen on May 23, 2026.

Elections in Hirshabelle and Galmudug states are scheduled to take place between June 20 and July 9.

In the Banadir region, Mogadishu city council elections are set for July 30, while the mayor and deputy mayors are scheduled to be elected on August 5.

The commission’s schedule also places local council elections in the northeastern regions and the Gedo region of Jubbaland on July 30.

Officials said the coming days will bring detailed regulations, procedures, and technical guidelines to manage every stage of the vote. The commission also pledged public awareness campaigns, engagement with stakeholders, and training efforts to help carry out the elections.

It stressed that transparency, accountability, impartiality, and compliance with electoral standards will be central to building public trust in the process.

The commission urged political parties, candidates, government institutions, regional administrations, and the Somali public to follow the announced schedule and procedures in full, saying that doing so is essential to holding free, fair, and credible elections.